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Curt Popejoy

2024 NFL draft: NFL Scouting Combine and huge trade shakes things up in new 2-round mock draft

The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books and several players pushed themselves way up draft boards with strong performances. We decided it was time for a huge update to our two-round mock draft with lots of new names included.

We also decided to take care of the Justin Fields problem. We see plenty of mock drafts that give the Chicago Bears a quarterback No. 1 overall but don’t account for Fields. In this two-rounder, we have the Pittsburgh Steelers trading their second-round pick this year (as well as a third-round pick in 2025) so in evaluating this, the Bears now have an extra second and the Steelers hope they have their quarterback of the future.

1
Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams, USC

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Williams is 100 percent convinced he’s going No. 1 overall and who are we to argue with that.

2
Washington Commanders - QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

With Jayden Daniels sitting out the combine, we give Drake Maye the nod here to the COmmanders.

3
New England Patriots - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots seem to be at ease with whichever quarterback falls to them here and this time it is Daniels. We really want to see if Daniels has put on any weight when he works out at the LSU pro day.

4
Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Harrison had a bizarre combine with the whole media issue but we don’t expect that to deter the Cardinals from selecting him here.

5
Los Angeles Chargers - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

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If this pick ends up being LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, we won’t be shocked but Bowers is just such a special player at his position and so far ahead of the rest of the class.

6
New York Giants - WR Malik Nabers, LSU

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Whoever is playing quarterback for the Giants next year will be happy to have a playmaker like Malik Nabers to throw the football to.

7
Tennessee Titans - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Here is another pivot point in the first round that could impact multiple picks. The Titans could easily opt for Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze here but the offensive line was so bad last season we opted for Alt to protect their young quarterback.

8
Atlanta Falcons - QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

McCarthy put together a strong workout at the perfect time this past week after a second half of the 2023 season that raised some concerns about his consistency.

9
Chicgao Bears - WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears use their second first-round pick to get Caleb Williams an elite target in the passing game in Rome Odunze. Odunze proved at the combine just what a humble, hard worker he is and is poised for greatness.

10
New York Jets - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After the top three wideouts went off the board it came down to Fuaga and Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy. Both are great players but we will always favor an elite blindside protector.

11
Minnesota Vikings - CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Assuming the groin injury he suffered at the combine isn’t serious, Wiggins sprinted his way into the conversation to be the top cornerback off the board and that is where we have him after a blazing 40 time.

12
Denver Broncos - EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Turner is another guy who has always been in the mix of the top half of the first round but used a huge combine performance to cement his status.

13
Las Vegas Raiders - DT Byron Murphy II, Texas

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders have needs on both sides of the football so we went with the best player on the board to give them an interior pass rusher who can dominate the line of scrimmage.

14
New Orleans Saints - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fashanu’s interview at the combine was impressive and he seems ready to put a down 2023 season behind him and get back to his 2022 form as a dominating left tackle.

15
Indianapolis Colts - DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

We had hoped to see DeJean work out at the combine but he says he will be ready at the Iowa pro day. We are keeping him here at this point but that workout could impact his draft stock in a big way.

16
Seattle Seahawks - EDGE Jared Verse, FSU

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Verse pushed Dallas Turner at the combine and solidified his status as a first-round pick. Seattle loves players like Verse who can do a little of everything and do it with athleticism.

17
Jacksonville Jaguars - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell is another corner who had a strong workout to back up really excellent game film from last season.

18
Cincinnati Bengals - DL Braden Fiske, Florida State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fiske is going to parlay a huge combine into a big jump up draft boards. Fiske can play inside and outside for the Bengals and shows great power and athleticism.

19
Los Angeles Rams - C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

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JPJ is the top interior offensive lineman in this draft and an immediate starter for the Rams.

20
Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

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The Steelers need a player to pair up with Joey Porter Jr. and Arnold is not just a great player but a high-character young man. Having said that, if the Steelers opted for JC Latham here we won’t be shocked.

21
Miami Dolphins - OT JC Latham, Alabama

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The Dolphins offensive line was decimated by injuries last season so it’s an easy choice to get them Latham, who can start at either tackle spot from day one.

22
Philadelphia Eagles - WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver might not be the Eagles most glaring need but we love the fit of Thomas in this system. His deep speed is a game-changer and can only help quarterback Jalen Hurts.

23
Houston Texans - WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Worthy’s 4.21-second, 40-yard dash as the combine vaulted him into he first-round discussion and straight to an already-dynamic Texans offense.

24
Dallas Cowbous - OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Despite only one year as a full-time starter, Mims late-season production and physical gifts make him an intriguing player to develop into the next great Cowboys offensive tackle.

25
Green Bay Pakers - OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

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The Packers could use help at tackle or guard so they hedge their bets here with Fautanu who has the tools to start at either one.

26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Latu’s rise into the top ranks of edge rushers goes well beyond just playing football and he is a player who is impossible to root against.

27
Arizona Cardinals - OL Graham Barton, Duke

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Barton, like Troy Fuatanu is a guy who has starter potential at multiple spots along the offensive line and gives the Cardinals lots of scheme versatility.

28
Buffalo Bills - WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Franklin had a very strong combine that might have been missed because of just how good this wide receiver class is but he would be a great fit with the Bills and help out Josh Allen on the outside.

29
Detroit Lions - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

We would have loved to see McKinstry work out at the combine against such a strong group but his film stands on its own to keep him in the first-round conversation.

30
Baltimore Ravens - WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

McConkey really showed another side to his game at the combine with some excellent times which bumps his stock up here to the Ravens who always need more wide receivers.

31
San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson’s film from last season was up and down but he quieted some of those critics with a really strong combine performance.

32
Kansas City Chiefs - OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When you are the Super Bowl champs you don’t need a lot but replacing Jawaan Taylor is a huge need and Guyton is a must-pick here.

33
Carolina Panthers - WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

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If the Panthers haven’t given up on Bryce Young already, they need to get him some weapons so we opted for the speedy Adonai Mitchell.

34
New England Patriots - WR Tez Walker, North Carolina

. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

I was already high on Tez Walker but his combine only cemented his status in the second tier of wide receivers.

35
New England Patriots - LB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There were some amazing combine performances this week but you can’t talk about the best without talking about the show North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson put on. He really cemented his status as the top off-ball linebacker in the draft.

36
Washington Commanders - TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We moved Sinnott up a full round after a huge combine that really gave a glimpse at what his NFL ceiling can be in the right system.

37
Los Angeles Chargers - WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

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After passing on a wide receiver in the first round, the Chargers add even more firepower in the second round with Coleman.

38
Tennessee Titans - WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wilson is another prospect who really helped himself at the combine. After getting a franchise left tackle in the first, Tennessee selects a starting wide receiver who can do everything on the field.

39
New York Giants - C Zach Frazier, West Virginia

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Giants fans will love Frazier’s hard-nosed style and demeanor along with the level of physical play he brings.

40
Washington Commanders - CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

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We’ve had Rakestraw in the first round of recent mock drafts but he is the guy who gets lost in the shuffle here and slides to the Commanders.

41
Green Bay Packers - DT Johnny Newton, Illinois

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Newton is another guy who slides this time around because of how other players have stepped up but the Packers won’t complain about getting a player of his caliber in the second round.

42
Minnesota Vikings - QB Bo Nix, Oregon

The second run on quarterbacks starts here with the Vikings opting for Nix who is a little older as a rookie but is very physically gifted.

43
Atlanta Falcons - WR Jermaine Burton, Alamaba

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Burton is one of the most underrated prospects in the draft and a bargain here. And we don’t say that just because of his elite backflip skills.

44
Las Vegas Raiders - QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Next up in the quarterback run is Penix to the Raiders. It’s clear Penix loves football and brings so much positive energy and leadership, the Raiders will love him.

45
New Orleans Saints - DT T'Vondre Sweat, Texas

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The Saints land themselves a massive interior defender and the best nose tackle in the draft in Sweat. He’s a great mover for a huge guy and plays with crazy upper-body power.

46
Indianapolis Colts - WR Xavier Legette, South Craolina

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The Colts shored up the secondary in the first round and so they look to the offense this time with wide receiver Xavier Legette. Legette is another guy who really put on a show with his speed and agility at the combine.

47
New York Giants - S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It took long enough but a safety finally comes off the board with Tyler Nubin going to the Giants. We won’t be shocked if the top coverage safety in the drafted isn’t selected well before this.

48
Jacksonville Jaguars - G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Maybe a bit of a surprise here but I think teams are higher on Beebe than the pundits. His run blocking is elite and the Lions will love his style of play.

49
Cincinnati Bengals - OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals need to find some answers at offensive tackle and we love Jordan Morgan’s skill set and work ethic and his preparedness showed at the combine.

50
Philadelphia Eagles - LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles need to add a playmaker at linebacker and Edgerrin Cooper is a true sideline-to-sideline player as an off-ball linebacker. Great athlete and highly productive.

51
Los Angeles Rams - DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan

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Jenkins lands with the Rams and has a perfect opportunity to lean from Aaron Donald while he works his way into the starting lineup.

52
Chicago Bears - CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan

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With the pick that the Bears receivers in the trade with the Steelers, they selected Michigan cornerback Mike Sanristil who is the top slot cornerback prospect in the draft.

53
Miami Dolphins - TE Theo Johnson, Penn State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins boast the fastest and most explosive offense in the NFL so it only makes sense they draft the most athletic tight end in the draft in Johnson after his dominating combine.

54
Philadelphia Eagles - S Javon Bullard

The Eagles go back on the clock and land another bigtime playmaker in former Georgia safety Javon Bullard.

55
Cleveland Browns - S Calen Bullock, USC

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns finally go on the clock and opt for USC safety Calen Bullock. Bullock can do everything in the secondary and he backed up with a very good combine.

56
Dallas Cowboys - LB Junior Colson, Michigan

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

After getting their starting tackle of the future in the first round Dallas omes back for a future start at inside linebacker. I gave serious consideration to a running back here but there is plenty of depth there later in the draft.

57
Green Bay Pakers - S Jaden Hicks, Washington State

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This little run on safeties keeps going with the Packers selecting Versatile Washington State safety Jaden Hicks. He can even play some slot cornerback.

58
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

A bit on the nose for T.J. Tampa to go to Tampa? Maybe but there’s no denying his skills. If Tampa played for a team like LSU or Alabama he’d be easily in the first-round conversation.

59
Houston Texans - EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama

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Overshadowed by teammate Dallas Turner, Braswell is a great all-around edge defender who is underrated at this spot to the Texans.

60
Buffalo Bills - OT Patrick Paul, Houston

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More help on offense for the Bills with Paul. He’s a hard-nosed guy who plays with a mean streak and fits the run-heavy scheme of Buffalo.

61
Detroit Lions - G Christian Haynes, UConn

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Haynes is a guy who not only fits the mold of what head coach Dan Campbell wants in a player from a personality standpoint but also bring a ferocious nature to the field and fills a significant need.

62
Baltimore Ravens - CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lassiter gets pushed down a bit due to the strength of this class but he’s a guy who had adequate size and athleticism and is very smart on the field.

63
San Francisco 49ers - OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

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Physically, Fisher has all the measurables and tools to be a starting tackle in the NFL. The Niners should be able to coach him up to play with more intensity and consistent energy.

64
Kansas City Chiefs - WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs want to be more dynamic in the passing game and while we love Rashee Rice, getting him an ultra-athletic partner on the outside like Ricky Pearsall would make Patrick Mahomes very happy.

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